Virgin Territory

Virgin Territory sounds like (and is) a logical extension of MTV's Teen Mom franchise. If the network is to make dramatic hay out of young mothers, it's interesting to find out how they got that way, right? Turns out, yes, it is, although Virgin Territory focuses on both male and female virgins, who reveal their uncomfortable emotions winningly to the camera. Their unique viewpoints and backgrounds are treated with dignity and respect: Christian virgin Lisa is shown visiting her pastor with her husband-to-be, giggling nervously as he talks about partners pleasing each other; 19-year-old college co-ed Mikaela tells the camera straightforwardly that she's "actively looking to lose her virginity" but that she's looking for a man she cares about a lot and "hasn't found that yet."

Movies such as American Pie and Fast Times at Ridgemont High have traditionally portrayed young virgins as rapacious horndogs (if they're male) or yearning-but-exploitable romantics (if they're female). These real virgins, with their diversity of experiences, fill in that outline with real problems. Thus this thoughtful, tender series winds up being a genuine rarity: A network show about sex that takes it seriously and considers it in the context of a happy and meaningful ordinary life. This is mature subject matter, but it brings up topics parents may want their teens to think about. Parents should watch first, but then they may well be fine with their mature teens watching alone.